No, it’s definitely got to be the tediousness of carrying heavy boxes that gets me going.

Whatever the reason, I moved again. This time to the fine state of Utah. Therefore, this post is a tribute to Utah.

Shout out to Utah!

I’ve had a love affair with southern Utah since I first laid eyes on it. Birds were chirping somewhere in the distance. Lionel Richie’s “Hello” softly filling the air.

I knew it was mutual because the "Welcome to Utah" sign offered up a stylish wedding ring.

The contrast of the deep blue skies against the brilliant red sandstone is like nothing I’ve seen. In fact, I remember people accusing me of over saturating untouched photos. No, it really is that colorful.

If the National Parks were my children, Zion would be the obvious favorite. It’s a good thing I don’t have children.

Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. All places everyone should see in their life. If not for the views, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, climbing, stargazing, or other outdoor activities, then for the rich history. Your life isn’t complete until you’ve seen these places. They're even more beautiful in the winter.

Utah loves its National Parks. And why shouldn’t it? In 2013, the federal government threw a temper tantrum and shut down. As a result, the National Parks closed. But Utah said, “screw you” and struck a deal to reopen their National Parks. Go Utah!

But wait, there’s more!

Utah isn’t just about Mother Nature’s slots and dried up valleys. Up north is a different scene. Just a few hours away are the Rockies. The Wasatch and Uinta Ranges offer even more opportunities for play. The Wasatch have some of the best skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the world. The Uintas have several peaks taller than 13,000ft. Who can resist such bountiful peaks?

That’s a lot of diversity. There’s no excuse for boredom in a place like Utah. What other state offers so much variety in one arbitrarily designated set of boundaries?

Utah’s nature is boundless, but it’s great for other reasons too. The people here are, overall, super friendly. A lot of people migrate to Utah for a good reason. Every time I visit, I meet people from one of the places I’ve lived before. In a coffee shop, on a hike, in the bathroom (don’t ask).